malefactor

[ mal-uh-fak-ter ]

noun

1. a person who violates the law; criminal.

   Synonyms: culprit, felon

2. a person who does harm or evil, especially toward another.

   Antonyms: benefactor

malefactor

/ ˈmælɪˌfæktə /

noun

1. a criminal; wrongdoer

Derived Forms

• ˈmaleˌfaction, noun
• ˈmaleˌfactress, noun:feminine

Word History and Origins

Origin of malefactor¹

1400–50; late Middle English malefactour < Latin malefactor, equivalent to malefac ( ere ) to act wickedly, do an evil deed ( male-, fact ) + -tor -tor

Word History and Origins

Origin of malefactor¹

C15: via Old French from Latin, from malefacere to do evil

Example Sentences

We had to stand with Ukraine to send a strong message to the malefactor Putin.

From The Daily Beast

He was heartened, and went about the ship looking less like a malefactor doomed to execution.

From Project Gutenberg

The companion in crime of this malefactor, and his companion also at the gallows, was named Darby Mullins.

From Project Gutenberg

When this notorious malefactor was brought to trial, he was convicted on two indictments, and received sentence of death.

From Project Gutenberg

THIS malefactor appears to have suffered for a crime as savagely ferocious as it was deliberate.

From Project Gutenberg

This extraordinary malefactor suffered at Maidstone on the 6th of April, 1758.

From Project Gutenberg